‘Phi Ta Khon’ Mask & Ensemble

This is a complete ensemble of: mask, jumpsuit, belt with bells, and baby ‘Phi Ta Khon’ doll. The workmanship is very nice on all components, with this being the most intricate mask in our collection. Individually carved wood pieces, glued to a base, fit very carefully to form the decoration including “Phi Ta Khon Dan Sai” written in Thai (see ‘mask detail’). The nose is an elephant head and trunk of carved and painted wood. The top of the jumpsuit has fabric with little woven elephants, and the back has an iron-on image of two ‘phi ta khon’. The belt has bells plus a gold-painted gourd (possibly for holding rice wine). Most charming is the doll, with a small, smiling mask, and outfit with fringe and the Thai words for “phi ta khon” , plus small sandals and socks. This whole group was nicely turned out and this was one of their best outfits.